FOG HORN December 2018

Twobirds Flying Publications

Crimson Trace CTS-1400

Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Crimson Trace CTS-1400
2018

Crimson Trace CTS-1400 traditional AK rear battle sight. What was

immediately noticeable was the exceptional
By: Sal Palma
clarity of this sight’s glass. Target and aiming
dot were sharp and clear.

Late 2018 Crimson Trace entered the electronic

sight market with five red dot sights. In this
review, I take a look at the CTS-1400, a red dot
sight for rifles and shotguns.

By any measure, Crimson Trace was a late entry

into this highly competitive space, but as you
learn in most MBA programs, that’s not always
a bad thing especially when you are introducing
a markedly superior product. In short, if I were
an established red dot sight manufacturer, I’d
be shifting my sweat pumps into high gear. The CTS-1400 is also well laid out. Elevation and
The CTS-1400 is a 3.25 MOA compact open red wind adjustments are clearly marked with
dot reflex sight with a panoramic field of view. excellent tactile. One click equals 1 minute of
This is a red dot sight designed specifically to angle (MOA) at 100 yards.
augment a rifle or a shotgun. I mounted the
review sample on an AK-47. As you know, the
AK is notoriously hard on electronic sights due
to the elevated temperatures at the trunnion
area.

The CTS-1400 ships with what Crimson Trace

labels a snag free Picatinny mount; it placed the
sight very nicely on my Parabellum Armament
LLC. rail so that it co-witnessed with the rifle’s
iron sights. Readers familiar with the
On the sight’s left side you find the ON/OFF and
Parabellum rail know it includes a notch at its
brightness + and brightness – controls. They’re
forward most attachment point to replace the

Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.


easy to reach and operate. The shooter has a
choice of 10 levels of intensity.
Crimson Trace CTS-1400
2018
convinced that CTC centers these red dot sights
before leaving the factory. Three clicks left and I
was done. I then fired 6 rounds unsupported
and was extremely pleased with the results.

The STS CTS-1400 is a superb offering by a

company that provides you with a 3 year limited
warranty and batteries for life. I have no
hesitation in suggesting you pick one up. You
will love CTC’s CTS-1400 as much as I do. -SP

Availability is projected for January 2019

On the right side you have the windage

Manufacturer Specifications
adjustment and the battery compartment. You
don’t need to dismount the CTS-1400 to change  3.25 MOA round aiming dot
its single CR2032 power source.  Magnification: 1x
 Battery Type: One (1)
CR2032
 Shock, dust, impact, fog and
recoil resistant
 Material: Aircraft Grade
Anodized Aluminum
 Weight: 2.9 oz
 Length: 2.3"
 Width: 1.5"
 Height: 1.6"
 Brightness Settings:10x
 Adjustment Range: >100
MOA
 Adjustment Graduation: 1
MOA
 Operating Temperature: -10
to +50C
 Wide field of view with
superior glass quality
Range performance was equally impressive. I’ve  Intelligent electronics for
marked my first three shot group which was maximum battery life
fired supported at 50 yds. - what you’re seeing  M.S.R.P. $499
is right out of its box. Shazam! I am now utterly

Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved